All Comics

Frank and Ernest

By Thaves

"Frank & Ernest" continues to generate smiles, groans, and guffaws after more than three decades. From perspectives that range from above it all to below it all, "Frank & Ernest" touches on a variety of subjects, ranging from airplanes to zoos, and the characters can be anything in any time period. The variety helps to keep this enduring comic strip fresh.

The constant element in "Frank & Ernest" is its frank and earnest attitude: The strip’s subject diversity is addressed with a timeless and intelligent sensibility. Wordplay often adds extra amusement to keep readers interested and involved. The result can be a twisted phrase or a skewed outlook that manages to be empathetic and ironic yet never mean-spirited. As one journalist noted, “It is a safe bet that many ‘Frank & Ernest’ enthusiasts extract more from the strip than mere amusement. Thaves’ irony-laden, pithy brand of observational humor is often inspired by the average Joe’s interaction with perplexing cultural, political, legal, and theological questions.”

"Frank & Ernest" has a readership that cuts across demographics to include parents and children, teachers and students, managers and employees, young and old, male and female. "Frank & Ernest" is read daily by an estimated 25 million readers of 1,200 newspapers.

Daily Daily
Sunday Sunday
Daily & Sunday Daily & Sunday
Digital Digital
Print Print
Strip Strip
Available in Color Available in Color
Available in Spanish Available in Spanish
Family
Men
Women

Editor's Picks

Cartoon depicting Frank and Ernest discussing the phrasing of a historical document, with one character suggesting a formal start while humorously criticizing King George. The scene includes four characters seated around a table, surrounded by papers, showcasing a lighthearted take on historical events. Cartoon depicting a humorous physics sale by the Physics Society, featuring characters discussing the charges of electrons, protons, quarks, and neutrons, with a playful emphasis on neutrons being Cartoon depicting a whimsical scene in Cartoon character with stitched face and green skin stands next to a box labeled Cartoon character in a red cape and hat expressing surprise, with a speech bubble saying Santa Claus in a sleigh with reindeer, humorously exclaiming about batteries while surrounded by festive decorations and a snowy landscape. Cartoon depicting a cat reacting to a stimulus, illustrated in two panels. The left panel shows the cat startled and jumping, while the right panel features the cat lounging comfortably on a green chair, with the word Cartoon depicting a classroom scene where a teacher asks a student to explain the phrase Cartoon depiction of God with a long beard and halo, accompanied by two cherubs with wings and halos, set against a cosmic background. The scene illustrates a whimsical interpretation of heavenly figures. Cartoon featuring two characters discussing a friend's regrets about a scheme, with humorous references to Olympic achievements and a medal. The scene captures a lighthearted conversation, emphasizing camaraderie and playful banter.

About Thaves

"Frank & Ernest," created by Bob Thaves, chronicles the antics of two "everyman" characters who are anything but ordinary! They appear in different settings and time periods—and even manifest as things and creatures other than people. The variety in the strip extends to their observations about a wide number of subjects.

Tom Thaves produces "Frank & Ernest." He began to work with his father, Bob, the strip’s creator, in 1997. Tom assumed more and more responsibility until he took over full-time upon Bob’s death in 2006.

The strip is known for innovation, having been the first panel presented in a strip format. It was the first to be nominated for a Reuben category award for both syndicated panel and comic strip, and it has won category Reuben awards three times.

Smiling elderly man wearing glasses, sitting at a desk with a relaxed demeanor, showcasing a cozy indoor environment.